Pura Belpré Librarian of the Year Award
(Flyer PDF)

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Call for Nominations   
Pura Belpré Librarian of the Year Award 
for Outstanding Library Service to Latinos.  
Offered bi-annually, the award honors a librarian for his/her service and dedication to providing
library services to Spanish-speaking and Latino communities. ​
​The award includes $100.00 and a plaque is given honoring outstanding librarian's work. 

Purpose of Award:
To recognize individuals who have provided outstanding library service to Latinos.

Criteria for Award:
Nomination  must be submitted from April 1, 2026 through May 24th, 2026. 
Please note, the supporting statement must be one-page in length;
written in narrative form; and comment on how the candidate:

 -  Distinguished her/himself in the library field and/or community     
 -  Promoted and advocated for services to Latinos and Spanish-speaking communities;                                      -  Worked to fill a community need at a local, state, national, and/or international level;    
 -  Contributed to the REFORMA NE chapter and/or REFORMA National. 

Award Guidelines:
The RNE Chapter Pura Belpré Librarian Award Committee is responsible for
●    Making the formal award selection.                  
●    Making sure the candidate is an active member of the REFORMA NE Chapter
●    Completing nominator and candidate information form   
●    Stating the qualifications for nominating a candidate      
  
For more information on the award, including how to apply, please click on the links below:
2026 RNE Pura Belpré Librarian of the Year Award Announcement, Criteria and Guidelines
2026 RNE Pura Belpré Librarian of the Year Award Nomination Form   
                                   
Please submit Nomination form electronically to: 
[email protected]   Attention: Pura Belpre Librarian Award Committee Chair
Opening date: April 1st,  2026      Closing date: May 24th, 2026.  

Recipients of the Pura Belpré Librarian of the Year Award:
2024    Mary Marques, Library Coordinator at the Free Library of Philadelphia, PA 
2022    Louis Muñoz Jr., Reference and Adult Services Librarian, Morristown Library, Morris Township Library, NJ
2020    Georgina Rivas-Martinez, Youth Services Librarian, South Huntington Public Library, NY 
2018    Linda Caycedo, Retiree/Volunteer,  Bronx Library Center, P.R. Heritage Gallery, NYPL
            Elizabeth Garcia, Retiree/Author, Community Library Manager   
2016    Libbhy Romero, Supervising Librarian, NYPL BookOps                                                     

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